Newark Mayor Arrested at ICE Detention Center: Low Occupancy and Transparency Concerns

Delaney Hall, an ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey, has sparked controversy since its opening on May 1st, 2025, operating at only 15% of its capacity. ICE officials attribute this low occupancy to the fact that 75% of the detainees have prior criminal convictions or pending criminal cases. The situation escalated on Friday when Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested for allegedly trespassing on the facility's grounds. Mayor Baraka denies these allegations, stating that he was granted access to the premises. A CBS News crew was given a tour of the facility and interviewed Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, but the interview was cut short by ICE officials, who later cited security reasons. Mayor Baraka's arrest and subsequent trespassing charge add another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate surrounding the detention center's operations and the treatment of detainees. The incident highlights concerns about transparency and accountability within the immigration detention system. The low occupancy rate of the facility, despite its significant cost, raises questions about the efficiency and effectiveness of the current immigration policies. The mayor's statement, "I was standing there for over an hour, and nobody said anything," underscores his claim of having been improperly arrested. The incident has drawn considerable public attention and is likely to fuel further discussions about immigration policies and the role of privately-owned prisons in the immigration detention system.